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- Our mothers influence our lives from the day we're born.

She says keeping those bonds strong begins with understanding a baby's needs.

"A connection between a mother and a child is really important. Obviously, it can be the foundation of a person's self-worth," explains Psychologist Dr. Ashley Vigil-Otero. "At the early infancy stage, responding to [babies'] basic needs is really significant."

Vigil-Otero also says skin to skin contact at this stage is important.

Toddlers through age seven like using their imaginations.

"At that stage of development, a child is really engrossed in pretend play. So when your child asks and really initiates, 'Will you play with me?' Know that that's a really great way to connect with them and really understand their inner world," Vigil-Otero says.

As they become pre-teens, between eight and 12, you may notice more independence.

"It's really important that we are available to listen. Discussion and sharing that communication becomes more prominent and that's the best way to stay connected to your child," the doctor explained.

And then there are the teen years, thirteen to eighteen. "At this stage what's really important is to think of yourself as a consultant, your child's ally. So you're really going to want to respect their opinion, and listen, and really be there for them without trying to be overly demanding and tell them what they should do."

Dr. Vigil-Otero says the seeds of mother's love can build lifelong roots extending well beyond youth.

For more information on Dr. Ashley Vigil-Otero go to http://www.vigil-otero.com/

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Our mothers influence our lives from the day we're born. She says keeping those bonds strong begins with understanding a baby's needs. "A connection between a mother and a child is really important. Obviously, it can be the foundation of a person's self-worth," explains Psychologist Dr. Ashley Vigil-Otero.

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Unfortunately, today's society has ingrained the aspect of being emotionless into the idea of masculinity. For this reason, Dads can feel pressured to show their children how they don't let themselves ever become upset, mad, or sad. This can make their kids feel as though they don't have anyone to consult about personal feelings or problems.

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A mother is supreme because a mother provides comfort when our lives take a bad turn. While the father's purpose is to teach you how to work hard and be prosperous, Mothers, serve as protection when we doubt our ability to pick ourselves up again. While the mother protects her child, she helps it become strong again and fight the unforgiving world all reside in.

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Even in the modern world mothers often take on the role of upbringing much more often than the father. Mothers are the most important in the world because they are the one who helps us when we have problems.

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The Proverb

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"A man belongs to his fatherland  when things are good and life is sweet. But when there is sorrow and bitterness he finds refuge in his motherland. Your mother is there to protect you." (Achebe 134)

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In the society of Umuofia, the people have a common understanding of the importance of the mother. However, the protagonist, Okonkwo and his family fail to realize the significance. Okonkwo thinks he has seen firsthand what exercising these qualities does do a person by watching his father. However, Uchendu tells him that the land of the mother is to be a place in which despair is left behind and strength is regained. Okonkwo mustn't pity himself because then he will be unable to stand back up on his own.